How to get approved in Renholdsregisteret
How a cleaning business applies for approval, orders HMS cards, and documents its status to Vaskeladden.
Everyone who sells cleaning services in Norway must be approved by the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and listed in Renholdsregisteret. This also applies to sole proprietorships without employees. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority is clear:
It is illegal to sell cleaning services without public approval.
Vaskeladden only assigns work to partners who are listed as approved in Renholdsregisteret. An application under review is not enough to receive assignments from Vaskeladden. This is Vaskeladden's internal requirement for partners. If you are not registered yet, this page will help you get there.
Who must apply?
All businesses that fully or partially offer cleaning services must apply – regardless of size:
- limited companies (AS) with employees
- sole proprietorships (ENK) without employees
- businesses that hire out labor for cleaning services
If you run a sole proprietorship without employees, you submit the application without attachments, but you must order HMS cards yourself.
Before you apply
- The business must be registered in Brønnøysundregistrene with an organization number.
- If you have employees, employment contracts, wages, and insurance must be in place (see next point).
- Log into Altinn on behalf of the business. The application is submitted there.
How to apply
Submit the application using the Altinn form "Application for approval of cleaning enterprise". If you have employees, you must document that you fulfill the requirements:
- written employment contracts for all categories of employees
- wages in accordance with the regulation on general application of collective agreements for cleaning companies (minimum wage for cleaning)
- occupational injury insurance for employees
- agreement with an occupational health service
- safety representative or other safety service arrangement
- registration in the public registries applicable to the business
Sole proprietorships without employees submit the application without these attachments.
HMS cards
Once approved, order HMS cards for everyone performing cleaning work at hmskort.no. Self-employed individuals without employees must also have an HMS card. The card proves that you operate a lawful cleaning business.
The requirement applies to everyone performing cleaning work for the business, regardless of nationality. Foreign workers employed by the business order HMS cards in the same way as Norwegian employees – through hmskort.no after the business is approved in Renholdsregisteret. It is the business, not the employee, that is responsible for ensuring everyone has a valid HMS card.
See HMS cards and uploading in the partner portal for how to document cards for Vaskeladden. If you have questions about the registrations required to order a card, use the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's information on HMS cards.
Processing time
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority normally takes 1–8 weeks to process a complete application. While the application is under review, you cannot receive assignments from Vaskeladden. We open for assignments once the business is listed as approved and all other documentation is in place.
After you are approved
- Every year, submit the "Annual report for approved cleaning enterprise" in Altinn. Every three years, attach the documentation again.
- Keep details updated if anything changes in the business.
- If you do not submit the annual report, you may lose your approval.
What the status in the register means
| Status in the register | Can you accept assignments from Vaskeladden? |
|---|---|
| Approved with employees / Approved without employees | Yes, once other partner requirements are met |
| Application under review | No, wait until the business is listed as approved |
| HMS card order under review | Clarified when a valid HMS card or other valid card documentation is uploaded |
| Not approved | No – rectify the non-conformities and update the application |
| Not in the register | No – apply for approval |
You can look up your business and check its status in the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's register at any time.
Official links
- Renholdsregisteret
- Approval scheme for cleaning enterprises
- Look up a cleaning enterprise
- Order HMS cards
Need help along the way? Contact us at kontakt@vaskeladden.com, and we will assist you further.